Trump’s Ceasefire Collapses as Israel Strikes Beirut, Iran Fires Missiles Back
Israel bombed southern Beirut and Iran responded with ballistic missiles, shattering a fragile U.S.-brokered truce and pushing the region toward a new open war.
President Donald Trump is scrambling to prevent a full-blown conflict between Israel and Iran after both sides traded direct strikes for the first time since the April ceasefire [169090][168882]. The escalation began when Israel ignored Trump’s warning and launched an attack on a Hezbollah target in Beirut, Lebanon [168955][169005]. Iran retaliated within hours, firing several waves of missiles at Israel [169005][168642]. At least 14 people were killed in the Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to Lebanese officials [169096].
Trump had publicly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid hitting Beirut [168955]. After the strikes, Trump ordered both sides to stop “shooting” immediately [168642]. Iran and Israel eventually agreed to halt hostilities on Monday morning, but both kept up aggressive language, and the situation remains highly unstable [168642][168723]. Israel’s military said it was ready for days of fighting or a longer campaign [168642].
The dispute has exposed a growing rift between Trump and Netanyahu over war goals. Trump wants a swift ceasefire, while Netanyahu insists on destroying Hezbollah and limiting Iran’s influence [168888]. Iran now demands that any agreement must include the situation in Lebanon, where Israel has ordered civilians to evacuate entire cities like Tyre [169045][168642]. Tehran has threatened to resume attacks if Israeli strikes on Lebanon continue [169096].
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, allied with Iran, also entered the fray, announcing a blockade on Israel in the Red Sea [168642][168850]. The Houthis fired at least one missile at Israel during the escalation [168850]. The simultaneous threats in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz—which together carry over a third of global maritime trade—have put massive pressure on oil markets [168644].
Pakistan, the lead mediator, called for restraint, saying the region is close to reaching a final goal [168642]. But inside Iran, a debate is raging. Some in Tehran want to use the moment to abandon ceasefire talks with the U.S., while others see an opportunity to speed up a deal with a U.S. president desperate to exit the war [168644]. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned it is ready to attack energy facilities in Gulf states if the conflict widens [168644].
No date has been set for the second phase of the peace plan between Hamas and Israel, and in Gaza more than 900 people have died since the supposed ceasefire began in October [168642]. In Lebanon, a series of ceasefires have failed, and the latest agreement did not include Hezbollah [168642]. The end of the war, which the U.S. government has been announcing for weeks, may still be far off [168642].